10 Tips for Taking Better Pictures

Have you noticed how many photographers there are today? Of course, just some of them are really talented, but the rest have this crazy idea that taking pictures is something easy. Taking pictures is one thing, taking photos is completely different. If you want to start calling yourself a photographer, here’s are some things you should know.

1. A professional camera doesn’t necessarily mean better photos

Well, having a professional camera is something that helps, but if you don’t have experience in taking photos, this will not help you. All professional photographers will tell you that it’s good to start with a basic device and work your way to professional ones, as you get more experience.

2. Attend workshops

Watching tutorials on YouTube might be a starting point, but you will need some actual advice from someone who knows what he’s talking about. Attend as many workshops as you can, they are not that expensive, plus they are in investment in your new career.

3. You need to practice

Henri Cartier-Bresson said that the first 10.000 pictures are the worst you will ever take and he was right. So if the first 10.000 are bad, do you realize how much time and effort you have to put into this? Try to experience with different types of photos: portrait, landscape, glamour and ask your friends to help you.

4. Learn how your camera works

Might sound trivial, but the first thing you need to do is read the manual when buying a camera. Don’t think you can discover its features as you go by, because you won’t. Read carefully, locate every button and make sure you read again when things are not clear.

5. Pay attention to details

The model in front of you is not the only thing that counts. Pay attention to details such as light, shadows, textures, noise… everything. All the things that surround you are important and you might be surprised to find inspiration when you least expect it.

6. Embrace criticism

Criticism is usually something hard to accept for most people, but when you want to do something professional, you must understand that you are not creating for yourself, but for others, because we imagine you want to get hired for various photo shoots. So, embrace criticism, ask for the opinion of strangers (not your friends and family, because they might be too soft).

7. Offer your services for free

It’s going to take a while for you to get known. So, at first you will have to work for free. And if you have at least a little sparkle of talent and are able to work with photo editing programs, taking free pictures is the best form of advertising.

8. Make a plan

Do not hesitate to make a plan before the photo shoot. Some of the best photo taken are not spontaneous, but well planned. If you are taking portrait pictures, try to find out a little bit of information about the model in question and that could be a source of inspiration for some really great pictures.

9. Research

Follow famous photographers, read articles in the field, see what company brags about what device. Do not try to recreate the pictures you are seeing, but rather absorb them as source of inspiration. You don’t have to be like them, you need to find your own path, your own little something that makes you special.

10. Explore

It would be great if you had the opportunity to travel and see different places and different people. But if that not is an option, make a habit out of exploring your own city every weekend. You will most probably find new places, old buildings that you never thought existed and you will run into some strangers willing to have their picture taken.

In the end, we wish you the best of luck with your project and we hope that the tips above will help you become the next Annie Leibovitz or Andy Warhol.

Have you noticed how many photographers there are today? Of course, just some of them are really talented, but the rest have this crazy idea that taking pictures is something easy. Taking pictures is one thing, taking photos is completely different. If you want to start calling yourself a photographer, here’s are some things you should know.